Back for a second act, this time as a WOL

[imdon]

Here I am again. I started Atkins the first time in 1998 when I found myself tipping the scales at 193. I was always thought of myself as relatively thin and breaking through the 190 weight barrier was quite a shock. I could hear 200 lbs knocking on my closet door. Thin no longer, I tried the low fat diet and other fads unsuccessfully. I knew I needed to go back to the drawing board. Thankfully I was introduced to the Atkins WOL by a friend.

My amazingly supportive and loving wife and I attacked Atkins with a vengence. The first time around we had little trouble losing weight and I blew through my target of 170 lbs eventually stopping at 161. It took about 6 months and I was looking pretty darned skinny. Hey, this is easy... or so I thought. I moved into the maintenance phase and began a weight training program, then slowly began cheating, and the next thing I knew I was back onto full carbo load. My weight slowly creeped back up until I climbed on the scale this Spring and found myself at 183.5. Ouch. My 50th birthday was looming and I was chubby. Not a good combination. Remembering how easy it was last time, I took weight loss for granted and didn't follow induction properly. Despite exercising, I never lost a pound over the summer. Ok, now I am 50 years old, fat and depressed.

So, I have learned my lesson. Starting on Monday September 15th I went back to the basics and I am now immersed in the "real" no cheating induction. It is hard, but I know from past experience that it is worth it.

I was ecstatic when I stumbled onto this website where I can get some needed support and guidance. Your stories are amazing and together we will make this WOL stick this time.

Male, 50
HW - 193
SW - 183.5
CW - 179
GW - 165

[creamsoda]

Good Luck!!! You've done it once you can do it again and you sound as though you've got a great attitude!!!

[Sherri]

Hello Imdon,
Welcome to ADBB and back to Atkin,
Post often, join some challenges. A great way to meet people and make new friends. Here's a Sticky from the Induction Thread with some great info to help you along in your Atkins Journey. Also here's a site with great recipes- Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Home
Wishing you the best of health and lite.
Sincerely, Sherri
Before you begin:

1. Read Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, 2002 edition.
At the very least, read chapters 10 through 14. These chapters tell you how to do the diet, what to expect, and why the first 14 days are so important.

ADBB uses DANDR 2002 as its reference. Granted there are other publications by Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. but we like to do the diet as it was written by Dr. Robert C. Atkins because in our collective experience Dr. Atkins' diet is more effective than Atkins Nutritionals, Inc's version.

2. See your physician.
Dr. Atkins recommended this himself. See your physician for a complete physical exam, including blood tests before beginning this or any other diet and exercise program.

Also take the Blood Sugar Symptom Test found in the book.

3. Make a commitment.
Commit yourself to giving the 14 day Induction a fair shot. If you can't commit yourself to 14 days of following rules and eating the foods listed in the acceptable foods list, this diet might not be for you.

4. Prepare your kitchen
If it's not on the list, remove it from your home. If you live with people who aren't on a low carb diet, then put your food(s) in areas separate from theirs. Also make sure you have low carb snacks available to you at all times, in case you get hungry.

5. Recruit your family and friends.
You are about to embark on a completely new lifestyle. Getting the support of your family and friends will help you through this. Be frank with them and tell them your intentions and that this is very important to you. If they have any doubts about this diet, ask them to read the book because knowledge is power.

6. Keep the Induction Rules and Foods List handy.
Make two copies of these documents: keep one on your refrigerator at home and keep the other one on your person at all times. This will save you a lot of guesswork and worry when eating out or grocery shopping.

The Rules of Induction can be found here:
What are the Rules of Induction?

The Induction Acceptable Foods List can be found here:
What foods can be eaten on Induction?

7. Read the entire label, including the ingredients.
Some foods have little carbs, but contain things like hydrogenated oils (trans fats) and sugar, which makes them unacceptable for Induction.

8. Keep a food diary
It is of utmost importance to keep track of your daily carbohydrate intake to make sure you are not exceeding 20 net carbohydrates daily.

Some people keep a notebook journal. Others like to track their progress online.

Here are some resources:
An Atkins spreadsheet:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=4570

http://www.fitday.com ---This is a free online service (registration required) that allows you to input your foods, track your exercise, etc.

Carbohydrate Counters:
http://www.atkins.com ---The Atkins site has a downloadable Carb Counter.
http://www.calorieking.com ---This site has nutritional information for most foods and beverages.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/ ---This is the United States Department of Agriculture Nutrition Database.

9. Exercise
According to Dr. Atkins "exercise is non-negotiable"! So get moving. Begin according to your level of fitness. Visit the Exercise Forum.

10. Vitamin Supplements
These are also recommended by Dr. Atkins because many of us have poor nutrition and we need extra nutrients. Visit the Vita-Nutrient Forum.

11. Weigh AND Measure Yourself on Day 1

Make sure you weigh and measure yourself before you begin this diet. Contrary to what we are lead to believe, the scale isn't the best tool for measuring weight loss (fat loss). It doesn't tell you how much muscle you gained. It doesn't tell you how much water weight you gained or lost. It doesn't tell you that you will fit into that pair of jeans.

Tips for weighing:
a. Weigh yourself at the same time of day under the same conditions. You can weigh "more" after a meal or after you drink water or you can weigh "less" after you exercise or have a bowel movement. So pick a time and stick to it. Likewise, clothing can also add on "pounds". So if you choose to weigh yourself wearing clothes, make sure you are wearing the same clothing or nearly the same clothing.

b. Use the same scale. Scales differ slightly. So the scale in your doctor's office or at the gym might have you weighing more or less than the scale in your bathroom.

Tips for measuring:
a. You can measure whatever body areas you want: chest, waist, hips, thighs, upper arm, wrists and ankles. To make the measuring easier, you body landmarks like your belly button or a mole or scar, to guide your tape measure placement. For chest measurement, women can either measure under their armpits and/or under their breasts.

b. Don't "pull" on the measuring tape because that will give you a false reading (and stretch the tape). The tape should be snug, but not tight.

c. Don't suck in to make yourself smaller. Again, that will give you a false measurement.

Measuring tapes can be purchased at craft stores (the sewing section) for under $5.00. If you can't find one, you can use a piece of string. Just mark that string with a marker pen to indicate your "start" points". Or if you have an old belt, you can use that too.

Another good "measuring tool" is your clothing. Non-stretchy clothing like a dress shirt, jeans, or dress is the best thing to use. Stretchy fabric (like t-shirts or anything with spandex) will conform to your body as you shrink so you might not see the results. Try on this article of clothing periodically to see how you are losing inches.

Good luck to you on your 14 day Induction journey.

[imdon]

Thanks for the support and kind words Creamsoda.
There is so much information on this website that I either forgot about last time or never knew in the first place.

I am pretty excited and full of hope about my second time around!

[imdon]

Hi Sherri,
Thank you so very much. I saw your awesome post on another thread last night and got some great ideas from you. I actually took your advice and joined fitday last night and began to record my food consumption. I am already on a multi-vitamin (note to self - check Iron content), had my doctor's appointment, got back on my weight training and cardio routine and feel pretty pumped up... but it is only day 2 of the rest of my life.

Thanks again for reaching out.

[blueberrylady]

Welcome imdon. You will find everything you need here: motivation, inspiration, support and recipes so you can't go wrong! I know it's been a life saver for me.

[imdon]

Thanks Blueberry Lady. Loving it so far. And the recipes look fantastic. Another benefit of doing Atkins a second time and finding this site. Eating better, feeling better & looking better - it is a way of life!

[Sweets]

Welcome!!! Not only will you find an abundance of support you will also get kick your butt kicked when you go off track..... everyone needs it once in a while!!! LOL

Check in every day.. even if you don't post... I find just reading other's posts helps!! Take every day one day at a time.. sometimes we need to take it an hour at a time.. or a moment at a time.. whatever gets you from sunrise to sunset without going off plan!!!

Good Luck!!!!

[imdon]

Thanks Sweets. I feel pretty strong today but I could definitely use a good kick in the pants now and again to keep me focussed. It appears that you are another recommitted Atkineer. Welcome back and good luck.

[Juicylucy]

Hi Imdon....Hows day 3 going for ya? I have had bags of energy today, and am just having an omlette packed with bacon...its all i could be bothered with for my tea...ive not stoped all day and im knackered..lol...
anyway just thought id check in mate....
Juicyxx